Environmental Science Class Calendar - Marking Period 3 - '09-'10


Here you will find the session numbers, dates, questions of the day, lessons/activities,any papers that I have handed out in class, and what the homework for the day was. Keep in mind that there is also an “Assignment” box in class that contains all of the papers handed out. When you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to gather any papers or information about the time you were gone from this wiki, the "Assignment" box, and/or by asking a classmate about the lesson. If you are confused, ask a classmate. You are in high school now and are responsible for taking care of yourself. Please come to me as a last resource. I am happy to answer questions, though, once you have what you need and understand what you missed. This is also the place to find any papers that you may have lost.

Session#
Date
Question of the Day
Lesson/Activities
Handouts
Homework
1
1/27/10
List three words that come to mind when you hear Environmental Science.
Get to know you, Class Procedures and Expectations
external image msword.png Question of the Day Sheet.doc
external image msword.png Expectations.doc
external image msword.png Student Info_CFF form.doc
Return completed
Student Info/CFF
Laptop Agreement.

2
1/28/10
What's your favorite memory of being in nature?
Finished Mrs. Matthaei's Betting Game (get to know Mrs. Matthaei!) and Levels of Organization within an ecosystem.
Smallest --> largest: Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome

We defined and gave examples for each.
Create an email account if you do not already have one. (I recommend gmail.com!)
3
1/29/10
Place these in order from smallest to largest: biome, organism, ecosystem, population, community.
Levels of Organization and Food Chains/Webs
We discussed Producers and Primary/Secondary/Tertiary Consumers. We then made food chains and food webs. *Arrows show the transfer of energy!*

View the notes that you missed today and tomorrow:
none
4
2/1/10
What is the difference between a food chain and food web?
Food Web Matching Game!
For the Food Web Matching Game:
1. Glossary of Ecosystem/Food Web terms: http://www.bigelow.org/edhab/glossary.html
2. "Fitting Algae into the Food Web" Background information:
external image pdf.png fitting_algae.pdf
3. Directions for the game:
external image pdf.png directions.pdf
4. Trophic Tables (learn about the roles of the organisms in your food web):
external image pdf.png trophic_table.pdf
5. Game board:
external image pdf.png game_board.pdf
6. Clues to help you out:
external image pdf.png clues.pdf
7. Questions to answer:
external image pdf.png missing_link.pdf
Find a food web or create your own. Bring it to class tomorrow.
5
2/2/10
Draw the trophic pyramid and give one example organism for each level.
Food webs/chains
PRIDE presentation with State Trooper
none (unless you did not bring in a food web)
6
2/3/10
EXPLAIN the transfer of energy between trophic levels. (You may use your notes to help.)
Food webs/chains and Biotic/Abiotic Factors
Food Web Practice:
  1. http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/kids_web.htm - work on identifying producers, consumers and decomposers
  2. http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html - place organisms in the correct location in a food web (do all three webs!)
  3. http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm - read information about food chains and webs, then click on "create your own web" at the bottom of the page
  4. EXTENSION: Mystery "Who Dun It" - http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/kids_web/mystery01.htm
none
7
2/4/10
Which biome is PA mostly?
Food webs/chains and Biotic/Abiotic Factors

none
8
2/5/10
Describe, in detail, the difference between biotic and abiotic factors.
Biotic/Abiotic Factors and Mind Map Vocab Project
1. Create an account on bubbl.us.
2. Check out the Mind Map Vocab page for directions and vocab list.
3. Start and keep your Mind Map Vocab project updated! (The list on the wiki will be updated, so keep checking back!)
none
9
2/8/10
What do you think biodiversity means?
Biodiversity
Biodiversity worksheet for session 9 & 10:

1. "The Loss of Biodiversity" (Hippocampus audio/text)
2. "The Wild Classroom" - Biodiversity video
Study for Test on WEDNESDAY (Testing over 3 Learning Targets: Food Web, Biotic/Abiotic Factors & Biodiversity)
10
2/9/10
Why is biodiversity important? Give as many reasons as you can!
Biodiversity
Douglas Fir Tree Simulation!
-Use the worksheet from last class.
-Here is a discription of the simulation, in case you weren't here:
Study for Test on WEDNESDAY (Testing over 3 Learning Targets: Food Web, Biotic/Abiotic Factors & Biodiversity)
11
2/12/10
Describe how you think biodiversity is different in the different biomes.
Review for Test
Create a study guide for the test next WEDNESDAY!

11th Hour video
Study for Test on WEDNESDAY (Testing over 3 Learning Targets: Food Web, Biotic/Abiotic Factors & Biodiversity)
12
2/16/10
What do you still not understand about Food Webs, Biotic/Abiotic Factors, or Biodiversity?
Mind Map Vocab
Betting Review Game!


Mind Map Vocab Project
Sign up for Mindmeister.com
(You will then need to activate your account by clicking on the link in the email that they will send you!)
Study for Test on WEDNESDAY (Testing over 3 Learning Targets: Food Web, Biotic/Abiotic Factors & Biodiversity)

*Activate mindmeister account by clicking on link sent in email.

13
2/17/10
What will you work on if you finish the test early?
TEST
TEST over Food Webs, Biotic/Abiotic Factors & Biodiversity
*Activate mindmeister account by clicking on link sent in email.
14
2/18/10
What do you think happens over the years to a completely abandoned field?
Ecological Succession
In the textbook, write down the Lesson Review questions 1-7 from page 178. Read pages 172-175 and answer those 7 questions as you read. Be sure to take notes over any new vocabulary or concepts as you read, as well.
none (unless the questions aren't finished)
15
2/19/10
Describe the two types of Ecological Succession.
Ecological Succession, Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
1. Watch the Life After People video clip about Chernobyl and Ecological Succession.

2. View the notes taken in class about Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity.

Notes may be take on this graphic organizer:
None

Except Periods 2, 3 and 6: Make sure that your mindmiester account is activated (click on the link that was sent to you in an email from mindmeister).
16
2/22/10
How can limiting factors impact an ecosystem? (Give examples to support your answer.)
Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
Cedar Glade Activity
Packet:
none
17
2/23/10
How are the terms limiting factors and carrying capacity related?
Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
Continue Cedar Glade Activity
none
18
2/24/10
Describe the limiting factors in the Cedar Glade.
Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
Continue and finish Cedar Glade Activty
Cedar Glade Packet and Reflection Questions
19
3/1/10
Currently, what do you think are the 3 biggest limiting factors impacting humans? (Explain why you think so!)
Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
Check out these two videos learn about what happened on Easter Island with limiting factors (specifically natural resources):
Easter Island Video

Human Population Growth & Earth's Carrying Capacity worksheet:
external image msword.png Human Population Growth.doc
none
20
3/2/10
What does exponential growth mean?
Limiting Factors, Carrying Capacity & Population
Continue with Human Population Growth and Earth's Carrying Capacity worksheet and graph (handout from last class)
none
21
3/3/10
Describe in detail how the human population has grown over time.
Population
Population Graphs Powerpoint: external image vnd.ms-powerpoint.png

Population Maps Powerpoint: external image vnd.ms-powerpoint.png
none
22
3/4/10
What was the main event that caused humans' exponential growth?
Population
Exploring Population Statistics Worksheet: external image msword.png

Follow the links to complete the assignments #1-3 on the first page.
none
23
3/5/10
What is the difference between the world's human population growth and the population growth RATE?
Population
Population Growth Rate article and questions.

Complete the mini-assessment on the back of the worksheet from last class.
none
24
3/8/10
What three factors affect population growth the most in a country?
Population

EARTHQUAKE in CHILE: WORLDWIDE IMPACTS! **Check this out!**
Use the (yellow) Exploring Population Statistics Worksheet from last class. Watch the Miniature Earth video (#4) and complete the assignment on the first page. www.miniature-earth.com

Create an account at www.edmodo.com (using your login and password from your mindmeister account). Use the class code that Mrs. Matthaei gives in class for your class period. Complete assignment (read article and respond) within edmodo. If you find that you need the class code again, please email me.

If not already done, complete the mini-assessment on the back of the yellow worksheet from last class.
Study for the Limiting Factors and Population TEST: next MONDAY
25
3/9/10
Which countries do you think have the highest/lowest total populations AND which have the highest/lowest growth rates?
Population
Population and Growth Rate by Countries: NationMaster.com - Great website with statistics on any and all countries in the world. Wikipedia's Population Growth and Population Growth Rates by countries.

Students begin Countries' Population Growth Rate activity. The worksheet is here: external image msword.png Countries Pop Growth Rate.doc
The directions for the activity can be found in this powerpoint:
external image vnd.ms-powerpoint.png Countries’ Population Growth Rate Activity.ppt
Study for the Limiting Factors and Population TEST: MONDAY
26
3/10/10
Where do we see our highest population growth rates? Why is this an issue?
Population
Continue Countries' Population Growth Rate activity

If done early, read about China's One Child Policy & the World Population Prediction:
external image tiff.png China's One Child Policy page 1
external image tiff.png China's One Child Policy page 2
Study for the Limiting Factors and Population TEST: MONDAY
27
3/11/10
EXPLAIN what you think humans' #1 issue is with the population growing the way it is. Why?
Population
Gapminder.org: What Stops Population Growth? View assignment on www.edmodo.com. You will watch the What Stops Population Growth? video (10 mins) from www.gapminder.org.
Study for the Limiting Factors and Population TEST: MONDAY
28
3/12/10
Why does it matter if some countries grow fast and others grow more slowly?
Limiting Factors and Population Review
Limiting Factors and Population Review
Study for the Limiting Factors and Population TEST: MONDAY (next class)
29
3/15/10
What are at least two things you have recently learned about other countries?
Limiting Factors and Population TEST
Limiting Factors and Population TEST

When finished with test, get out laptop and go to: NatGeo's Aftermath: Population Zero - read Overview, view videos if you'd like, then launch the Interactive to experience the aftermath!!!
none
30
3/16/10
Where do you think the majority of Earth's water is located? What about Earth's freshwater?
Water Pollution
Earth's Water Distribution Demonstration (look at water pollution packet)
View this for Water Pollution slides and video: external image vnd.ms-powerpoint.png Water Pollution Powerpoint to help fill out the following Water Pollution packet: external image msword.png Water Pollution Packet
none
31
3/17/10
Explain Earth's water situation in detail.

New Question of the Day Sheet: external image msword.png
Water Pollution
Textbook: # Read pages 10-11. Answer questions #1-5 on page 13.
  1. Read pages 23-25. Answer questions #5 and 7-9 on page 26.
  2. Read pages 27-29 (stop before Watershed Quality). Describe how these human activities negatively affect wetlands:
    1. Agriculture
    2. Urbanization
    3. Construction
    4. Mining
    5. Industry
    6. Waste Disposal
Finish Textbook Assignment
32
3/18/10
What watershed are we in? What are some differences between watersheds and wetlands?
Water Pollution
  1. Read: external image msword.png Point/Non-Point Source Pollution Reading
  2. Visit: www.protectingwater.com
  3. Fill out using reading and website:external image msword.png Point Source and Non-Point Source Water Pollution Worksheet
Finish point source vs. non-point source graphic organizer.
33
3/19/10
Explain the difference between point source and non-point source water pollution.
Water Pollution
Finish assignment over Point and Non-Point Source Pollution from last class.
none
34
3/22/10
How can you personally decrease your contribution to water pollution?
Natural Resources and Final Project Introduction
Natural Resources; Final Project - Explanation and Part 1: The List


Study for Water Pollution Quiz Thursday
35
3/23/10
What are natural resources and what's the difference between renewable and nonrenewable?
Final Project
Final Project - Part 1: The List
Study for Water Pollution Quiz Thursday
36
3/24/10
What three natural resources do you think you use the most in your everyday life?
Final Project
Final Project - Finish Part 1: The List

Final Project - Begin Part 2: The Eco-Web


Study for Water Pollution Quiz Tomorrow

Final Project - Part 1: The List should be completed

37
3/25/10
What is one way that you reduce, reuse, or recycle at home?
Water Pollution Quiz & Final Project
Water Pollution Quiz

Final Project - Continue with Part 2: The Eco-Web
none
38
3/26/10
What was your favorite topic or activity in this class?
Final Project
Final Project - Continue with Part 2: The Eco-Web
Final Project - Part 2: The Eco-Web should be completed
39
3/29/10
What do you wish we would have covered in this class but didn't?
Final Project
Part 3: The Gallery & Personal Action Plan
none
40
3/30/10
What did you like the most about this class?

TURN IN SHEET!
Final Project


Find out what your Ecological Footprint is!
none
41
3/31/10
none
Class Wrap-Up
Finish up and wrap-up course.
Last Day of MP3

_MG_2156.jpg